SARSAS’ 10th Birthday!

10 years ago today Bristol Rape Crisis was opened. Since then we have provided specialist, independent and free services tens of thousands of people who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.

Our journey started with two women and phone in a small room who were passionate about the needs and rights of women and girls who have experienced sexual violence.

In 2003 Bristol Rape Crisis was given funding to support people across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, or South Gloucestershire. We changed our name to Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (SARSAS) and opened up a Taunton office.

It’s been an amazing 10 years. We have provided support to tens of thousands of people through helpline calls and support emails, thousands of people have come to us for counselling, specialist support, and one to one emotional support, and we’ve set up a ground breaking learning disability specialist support project. We’ve met countless brilliant and brave people who have come to us for support and been privileged to be a part of their healing journey.

We’ve spoken at events, conferences, and delivered thousands of training sessions raising awareness of the impacts of rape and sexual abuse and busting rape myths.

The amazing women who volunteer and work for SARSAS have and will continue to go above and beyond to support survivors and to eliminate rape and sexual abuse. We are as passionate now as we were 10 years ago.

A massive thank you to all those who have supported us and here’s to another 10 years of listening, believing, and supporting!